Most cases
written for research ethics programs and workshops deal with issues
that don't affect undergraduates directly. The three case studies
briefly described below were
written for use with undergraduates who are beginning researchers.
Teaching research ethics to novice researchers is important but also
challenging. In particular, there are many ethical issues related to
the transition from the classroom laboratory to the research
laboratory. Student perceptions of acceptable behaviors differ for the
two environments as has been documented by Del Carlo and Bodner
(2004). Arkright-Keeler and
Stapleton (2007) provide some useful resources for teaching
research ethics. Mabrouk (2007) offers a template for teaching ethics. Another important
article in this area is by Wright (1998) in which various types of
research malpractice are presented in terms of undergraduate
laboratories.
Linked Cases: Tripped Up
Undergraduate Ernest Lee discovers that his results are too hot for
public consumption and is told by his superisor, Dr. Greene, that he
cannot present his research at a national meeting because they aren't
ready to publish yet. (Scripted for role playing)
Helping
Hand
Jill, pressed for time to write a proposal for summer research funding,
is advised by a graduate student to transcribe parts of her research
supervisor's recent grant proposal. The review committee deliberates on
whether to fund her proposal.
Organic
Reactions
Madge discovers that the project she has been working on is being
published without her name because her research supervisor thinks her
contributions do not merit coauthorship.
Patricia
Ann Mabrouk ( 2007) Introducing Summer High School Student-Researchers
to Ethics in Scientific Research: A Case Study-Based Workshop, Journal of Chemical Education84(6), 952-954.
